Cabinet construction



oef. 7, 195s w. E ASCHKE 2,855,259

CABINET CONSTRUCTION Filed yAug. 28, 1956 United States Patent O CABINET CONSTRUCTION Walter E. Raschke, Chicago, lll., assignor to Emil J. Paidar C0., a corporation of Illinois Application August 28, 1956, Serial No. 606,684

4 Claims. (Cl. 312228) This invention relates to an improved beauticians cabinet or vanity, of the type having a concealed wash basin and flanking cabinet storage sections adjacent the basin. Specifically, this invention relates to an improved pivotal mounting for the concealing lid of a wash basin in a cabinet construction, such as is used in beauty salons and barber shops.

The conventional beauticians vanity or booth usually incorporates a wash basin, one or more compartmented cabinet sections, having storage space for various beautification and grooming aids, and attached mirror, and some form of concealing lid or cover for the wash basin when not in use.

Each of these elements are arranged in a compact symmetrical relationship so as to present a neat sanitary appearance to the patron, as well as to provide an eicient work station for the operator.

To this end, the wash basin is usually located between adjacent flanking cabinet sections, and is provided with a hinged folding lid, such that when the basin is not in use, the lid may be folded into a horizontal position over the basin, thereby concealing the basin and presenting an integrated horizontal table top, upon which the operator may place the various beautification implements and cosmetics.

One of the disadvantages of the prior art cabinet constructions has been that of providing a simply operated, self-locking lid for the wash basin, such that the possibilities of a premature closing of the lid while the basin is in use, is minimized, thereby eliminating the danger of injury either to the operator or the patron.

The present invention offers an advantageous solution to this problem, in the form of a composite cabinet construction having a movable pivot wash basin lid that is attached to the cabinets by a novel pin and slotted plate mounting, and which becomes locked when moved into an upright vertical position to expose the concealed wash basin, such that a small positive effort on the part of the operator is required to move the lid into a closed horizontal position. The possibility of a premature closing of the lid is thereby virtually eliminated, due to the locking action exerted on the lid by the novel lid mounting, to the benefit of both the operator and the patron.

It is an object then, of the present invention, to provide an improved cabinet construction.

Another object of the present invention, is to provide an improved cabinet construction having a concealed wash basin and associated drop-pivot lid, that eliminates many of the defects of similar prior art cabinets.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved drop-pivot mounting for the wash basin lid of a beauticians vanity or dressing table.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mounting for the wash basin cover lid of a beauticians vanity, that can be raised and lowered between its respective horizontal and vertical positions, with a minimum amount of translating movement of the lid 2,855,259 Patented Oct. 7, 1958 between its limit positions, thereby permitting a reduction in cabinet depth.

A further object of the present invention isl to provide an improved movable pivot mounting for the concealing lid of the wash basin in the beauticians vanity, such that when the lid is in a raised vertical position, a locking action is afforded by the mounting requiring a positive effort on the part of the operator to swing the lid into a closed horizontal position.

An important feature of the invention lies in the locking action afforded by the novel drop-pivot mounting for the concealing lid of the wash basin of a beauticians vanity or cabinet.

Another feature of the invention` lies in the reduced depth cabinet construction resulting from the drop-pivot wash basin lid mounting, as contrasted to conventional beauticians vanity cabinets.

Many other objects and advantages of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the accompanying drawings and detailed description which follows.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a reduced front perspective elevational view of the cabinet construction of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the cabinet lid mounting of the present invention, showing the wash basin lid in a closed horizontal position;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing the wash basin lid in a vertically upright locked position; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary front cross-sectional view of the wash basin lid mounting, substantially along the line IV-IV of Figure 2.

As shown on the drawings:

In Figure 1, a typical beauticians vanity or cabinet 10 is illustrated embodying the principles of the present invention. The cabinet 10 is comprised, for example, of a pair of divided cabinet sections 11 and 12, respectfully, a wash basin B, a concealing lid L for the basin, and a mirror G, mounted at the rear of the cabinet sections 11 and 12, A back wall portion 13 maintains the cabinet sections 11 and 12 in spaced relationship, and provides a neat appearance to the cabinet assembly 10, as well as providing a mounting wall for die wash basin B.

The cabinet sections 11 and 12 are of the conventional type, having inner and outer side wall portions 14 and 16, respectfully, hinged doors 17 and top portions 18. The door 17 may be provided with handles or latches 19 to permit ready access to the storage space formed by the interiors of the cabinet sections'.

It should be understood that the spaced relationship of the respective cabinet sections 11 Iand 12 may be varied to accommodate wash basins of varying sizes, or the cabinet sections 11 and 12 may be assembled in abutting adjacent relationship, with the wash basin assembly B, and concealing lid L, positioned at either end of the cabinet sections, as may be desired.

As illustrated in Figure l, the wash basin B is mounted on the wall 13 at some convenient height such that when the lid L is in a closed horizontal position, the tops 18 of the cabinet sections 11 and 12 and the upper surface of the lid L will form a coplanar table top surface. Suitable moldings or trim strips 20 may be provided at the juncture between the tops of the cabinet sections 18 and the mirror G to provide eye appeal to the invention.

As best shown in Figures 2-4, the lid L may be of a composite construction, as for example a wood or tiberboard slab 21, to which may be bonded some lustrous, chemically resistant material 22, such as Formica, or the like. The exposed outer surfaces of the cabinet sections 11 and 12, may similarly be constructed with an outer covering of lusterous chemically resistant material 22, to add eye appeal to the invention.

It should be understood that the cabinet sections may be constructed of any other suitable material, other than wood, as for example steel,and that the chemically resistant material 22 may be in the form of a chemically resistant paint or varnished surface.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 2 and 3. the movable or drop pivot mounting assembly M for the cabinet lid L is comprised generally of a pair of laterally spaced brackets 23 mounted on the under surface cf the lid L, a pair of L-shaped slotted angle plates 24 and a pair of longitudinally spaced laterally cxtzndlng pin assemblies 26 (Figure 4), that are slidably mounted in the slotted angle plates 24. The pin assemblies 26 are comprised of a forward pin 26a and rear pin 26b.

As best shown in Figures 2 and 3, the angle plates 24 are formed with horizontal forwardly extending legs 27 and vertical downwardly extending legs 28. Mounting bosses 29 are provided on each leg, and suitable fasteners 30, as for example screws, serve to anchor the angle plates to the inner side walls 14 of the cabinet sections 11 and 12, respectively. The horizontal and vertical leg portions of the angle plates 24 are centrally slotted as at 3l to receive the pin assemblies 26.

It should be noted that the slots 31 do not intersect each other at a right angle, but at some acute angle less than 90, such-as an angle approximating 88, for a purpose and reason to be explained in more detail later.

In addition, it should also be noted that the length of the slot 31 in the vertical leg 28 slightly exceeds the distance between the pins 26a and 26b of the mounting bracket 23, whose purpose and function will also be explained in more detail later.

The bracket 23 is preferably constructed as an integral unit having a pair of spaced laterally extending arms 32 (Figure 4) on which the pin assemblies 26 are formed. The brackets may be constructed of any suitable material, preferably a chemically resistant bright metal, and are secured to the underside of the lid L by suitable fasteners (not shown).

The pin assemblies 26 are formed on the ends of the arms 32, and may for example, have reduced diameter end extremities 33, which permit the flush, fitting attachment of a sound dampening or anti-friction bushing 34, as may be desired.

It should be understood that any conventional antifriction device or sound deadening material could be employed between the pin assembly 26 and slotted angle plates 24.

When the lid L is in a closed horizontal position, as illustrated in Figure 2, it will be noted that the forward pin assembly 26a is positioned in the forward end of the horizontal slot 31, and that the rear pin assembly 26b rests against the rear edge of the vertical slot 31. The lid L is thus supported in a horizontal position in the slotted angle plate 24 by the cooperative interaction of the pivot pin assemblies 26, and by the rear cabinet wall 13, along its top edge 36.

Due to the rearward location of the mounting assemblies M on the side walls 14 of the cabinet sections 11 and 12, the lid L overlies the wash basin B in a stable horizontal position, the greater mass of the lid L being forwardly disposed of the end wall 13.

When the operator desires to uncover the wash basin B, it is only necessary to grasp the lid L at some convenient forward point and exert a pivotal lifting motion on the lid. Upward movement on the forward portion of the lid L will cause the lid to pivot about the forward pin 26a, the rear pin assembly 26b being guided vertically downwardly in the slot 31 of the leg 28. As previously mentioned, the horizontal leg 27 lies in a horizontal plane, while the vertical leg 28 is at some acute angle slightly less than 90, as for example and angle 88, such that the rear portion of the lid L will be cammed forwardly toward the wall 13 as it moves into an upright vertical position.

Ihus it will be appreciated that when an upward pivotal movement of the lid L is initiated, there will be no tendency of the rear portions of the lid L to bint1 on the back wall of the cabinet assembly 1C, or against an adjacent wall on which the cabinet may be mounted.

When the lid L has been raised to a full' open position, as shown in Figure 3, it will be inclined at an angle of approximately two degrees to the adjacent horizontal top portions 18 of the anking cabinet sections 11 and 12. This results from the angular relationship of the slots 31 in the legs 27 and 28 of thc plates 24.

As previously mentioned, and as indicated in somewhat exaggerated proportions in Figure 3, when the rear pin assembly 26b rests in the bottom of the slot 31 of the vertical leg 28, the upper pin assembly 26a will be in a slightly descended position in the same slot, due to the slightly longer length of the leg 28 relative to the leg 27.l The length of the slot 31 in the leg 28 is preferably only a slight amount longer than the slot 27, as for example an amount approximating one sixteenth of an inch. The actual increase in length of the vertical slot, will vary with the relative slot lengths and width, and the external diameter of the pin assemblies 26, the vertical slot length being increased a sufficient amount such as to present an abutting edge to the forward pin assembly 26a and exert a locking action against a relative forward movement of the pin in the leg 27. The locking action provided by the slightly longer slot 31 in the leg 28, thus prevents any sudden or unintended movement of the lid L from its open vertical position, illustrated in Figure 3, to its horizontal closed position illustrated in Figure 2.

When an operator desires to lower the lid L to its horizontal position, it is only necessary to grasp the upwardly extending portion of the lid L at some convenient point and exert a slight forward force toward the front of the cabinet assembly 10. The forward pin assembly 26a will then be cammed upwardly into the horizontal slot 31 in the leg 27, and the lower pin assembly 26b will then continue to rise upwardly and rearwardly in the slot 31 of the leg 28, until the lid L assumes the closed position illustrated in Figure 2.

Thus it will be appreciated that the novel cover mount- .ing assembly M, provides a simple movable pivot mounting for the lid L of the cabinet assembly 10, that will prevent a premature closing of the lid L on the hands or body of the operator or patron, which might otherwise occur from minor shocks or jars while the vanity is in use.

It will also be appreciated that the degree of locking action exerted on the forward pin assembly 26a, is a direct function of the proportionate difference between the pin diameter and the distance the pin assembly 26a is permitted to descend below its tangential position in the slot'31 of the leg 27.

Thus the novel mounting assembly M for the lid L of the cabinet assembly 10, provides a self-locking feature for the lid, without the necessity of elaborate latches, springs and fastening devices, thereby not only providing an extremely desirable safety feature when the invention is in use, but also providing a simple drop-pivot hinged connection of the lid to the cabinet that permits a narrow depth construction of the separate cabinet sections with a consequent compact appearance to the invention.

While only one embodiment of the present invention has been herein described, it should be understood that many other modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the novel concepts herein disclosed.

l claim as my invention:

l. A cabinet structure comprising a pair of cabinet sections having top, side, and rear wall portions, said cabinet sections also having doors to form storage spaces therein, a common vertical rear wall connected to said cabinet sections and maintaining a spaced relationship therebetween, a wash basin mounted on the rear wall between said cabinet sections and slightly below the level of the tops of said cabinet sections, a pair of L-shaped slotted angle plates fastened to the inner side walls of said cabinet sections, said slotted plates having one leg extending in a downward vertical direction and the other leg extending in a forward horizontal direction, a pair of brackets having a pair of laterally extending longitudinally spaced pins slidably connected to said slotted angle plates by said pins, and a pivotal lid covering said basin in a normally coplanar hush-fitting rplationship with the tops of said cabinet sections, said brackets projecting below said lid in normal position whereby the pins engage the slotted plates below the lid, said spaced pins and slotted plates forming a movable drop-pivot mounting for said lid whereby said lid may be pivoted between a vertical and horizontal position with a minimum of longitudinal movement.

2. A cabinet structure comprising, a cabinet section, a wash basin adjacent said cabinet section, a pivotal lid for said basin, a slotted guide plate connected to said cabinet section, said slotted guide plate having one horizontally forwardly extending leg and one vertical rearwardly inclined leg forming an angle of less than 90 with the horizontal leg, and a pair of spaced pins on said lid engaged in the slots in the plate, said pins positioned to be in substantially horizontal alignment when the lid is in horizontal position, the slot in said horizontal leg being substantially equal to the distance between said pins, the slot in said vertical leg being slightly longer than the slot in said horizontal leg and being unobstructed whereby the combined rearward inclination of said vertical leg and the descended position of said lid in said vertical leg slot will cooperate to exert a locking action on said lid when the latter is in a raised vertical position and whereby the lid will tilt rearwardly with the pins in the inclined leg.

3. A cabinet structure comprising, a cabinet section having top, front and side wall portions, a wash basin mounted on said cabinet structure adjacent said cabinet section, a pivotal lid for said basin being normally in a horizontal ,position and pivotable to an upright position, a slotted 'substantially L-shaped plate attached to said cabinet section, said L-shaped plate having one horizontally forwardly extending leg and one substantially vertically downwardly extending leg, the slot in said vertical leg being slightly longer than the slot in said horizontal leg and being unobstructed, and a pair of spaced pins on said lid in guided sliding engagement with the slots in said L-shaped plate, said pins sliding down into the bottom of the slot in said vertical leg due to the weight of the lid and sewing vto exert a locking action on said lid when the latter is raised to an upright position.

4. A cabinet structure comprising, a cabinet section having top, front and side wall portions, a wash basin mounted on said cabinet structure adjacent said cabinet section, a pivotal lid for said basin being normally in a horizontal position and pivotable to an upright position, a slotted substantially L-shaped plate attached to said cabinet section, said L-shaped plate having one horizontally forwardly extending leg and one substantially vertically downwardly extending leg, a bracket attached to said lid and projecting downwardly from said lid in normal position to be oset from the lid surface, and a pair of spaced pins on said bracket in guided sliding engagement with said slots in said L-shaped plate permitting said plate to be positioned below the lid in normal position whereby the edge of the lid may be finished for improved appearance and rigidity.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,087,243 Kurz Feb. 17, 1914 1,592,119 McLaughlin et al July 13, 1926 1,705,151 Card Mar. 12, 1929 1,963,089 Henderson June 19, 1934 2,725,272 McCartan Nov. 29, 1955 

